Thanksgiving Devotion

Give Thanks

By Martha Noebel

It's that time of year again. Each fall we stop and think about the
harvest and all we have to be thankful for. The farmers always stopped
and looked at the bountiful harvest at the end of the long summer and
gave thanks to God for helping them.

We too need to stop and give thanks to God for all He has given us.
We are blessed. Everything we want may not be in our houses, but we
need to be thankful.

David said in the Bible:

"I will thank you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the
marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of
you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High" (Psalm 9:1-2, New
Living Translation).

God loves to hear us. He takes great pleasure in receiving our thanks
and our love. He cares so deeply about everything that affects our lives.
Talk to Him. Tell Him whatever is on your heart. He understands and
wants to meet your needs.

"Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will
give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the
Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for
today" (Matthew 6:32-34, New Living Translation).

One day my daughter asked for me to clean a special outfit for her to wear to school the next day. I took the time and made sure it was ready for her. As is sometimes the way with busy teens, she did not say thank you.

When I mentioned it to her, she seemed surprised. She felt it was my job as her mother to have her clothes ready. I was really hurt. I was expecting a "thank you."

I believe God feels the same way when we don't stop and show a grateful heart for all He does for us each day. He wants us to be thankful. We should not look at Him and expect that it's His job to bless us without a thank you in return.

Just like my daughter who needed a reminder to appreciate the things she has, the family she is blessed with, and to be thankful for the loving heavenly Father who watches over her, we too need to be reminded.

How great is the Father's love for us. How awesome are His deeds. Let
us rejoice and be thankful to Him and bless His name. Give thanks to
God for He is good and His mercy is everlasting. Great is the love of
our God. Let's give thanks.

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